Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannia Jackson.
Hi Shannia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey with Double Dutch began in 1989 when I attended an after-school camp and met an incredible Camp Director, Betty Gortman. From the moment we met, she took a genuine interest in my well-being and became a mentor who would have a lasting impact on my life.
One day, Betty took her oldest daughter Shaun, another friend named Demetris, and me to what was then known as Valley Park to meet legendary World Champion Double Dutch Coach Joy Holman. Coach Joy welcomed us with open arms, and that introduction would ultimately change the course of my life.
Just a few months later, we competed in our first competition, where we became Regional and State Champions and earned the opportunity to advance to the World Championship in Boca Raton, Florida. The experience opened my eyes to possibilities I had never imagined and taught me lessons that extended far beyond the ropes. It built my confidence, discipline, leadership skills, and showed me the value of hard work, teamwork, and perseverance.
As I continued to grow within the program, I not only competed but also began helping train new and existing jumpers. Eventually, I became the Director of Double Dutch Camp each summer, giving me the opportunity to pour into the next generation the same way others had poured into me.
Over the years, Coach Joy asked me several times to take over as head coach, and each time I respectfully declined. However, the last time she asked, the circumstances were different. At that moment, I knew I could no longer say no. Accepting that responsibility wasn’t just about coaching a team—it was about preserving a legacy, honoring the people who had invested in me, and ensuring that future generations would have the same life-changing opportunities that Double Dutch and The Forces provided for me.
Today, I am proud to lead a program that has been transforming lives for more than 41 years. While our competitive success is something to celebrate, my greatest accomplishment is helping young people discover their potential, build character, and learn the ropes of life—just as Betty Gortman and Coach Joy Holman once did for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has not been easy. Although I always remained in contact with Coach Joy, I made the decision in my early thirties to step away from competing and performing with the team. As a result, many of the younger jumpers had no idea who I was or the history I shared with the program. While some of the longtime members knew me, my absence over the years made the transition challenging when I stepped into a leadership role.
To be honest, it was a transition that not everyone supported. Some of the jumpers questioned the change, and those feelings were shared by some of my peers as well. It was one of the most difficult periods of my journey. I found myself trying to understand why others didn’t approve while also feeling the need to prove that I was capable of carrying the responsibility that had been entrusted to me.
Looking back, those challenges taught me some of my greatest lessons in leadership. I learned that leadership is not about being accepted immediately; it’s about showing up consistently, staying committed to the mission, and allowing your actions to speak for themselves. Over time, I stopped focusing on proving myself and focused instead on serving the program, supporting the athletes, and honoring the legacy that Coach Joy built.
The experience strengthened me, deepened my understanding of leadership, and reminded me that growth often comes through adversity. Today, I am grateful for those challenges because they helped shape the coach, mentor, and leader I have become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the Executive Director and Head Coach of The Forces, a nonprofit Double Dutch program that has been transforming lives for more than 41 years. While many people know us for our championship titles and competitive success, my work extends far beyond the ropes. My life’s work has always centered around helping people reach their full potential and achieve self-sufficiency.
Professionally, I have built my career in Human Services and currently work for a Housing Authority in Columbia, South Carolina. Having grown up in public housing myself, I understand many of the challenges families face and the importance of having access to resources, support, and opportunities. Those experiences developed within me a passion for helping others improve their circumstances and build stable, successful lives. Whether I am working with residents through my career or mentoring youth through Double Dutch, my mission remains the same: to empower people and help them recognize that their current situation does not define their future.
Through The Forces, I specialize in youth development, mentorship, leadership training, and creating opportunities for young people to discover their potential both on and off the competition floor. What I am most known for is my commitment to developing the whole child. Through Double Dutch, I teach discipline, accountability, teamwork, confidence, resilience, and leadership. My goal has never been simply to create great athletes; it has always been to help develop respectful, productive, and successful young adults who are prepared for life.
What I am most proud of is continuing the legacy that was poured into me as a child. As a product of The Forces, I experienced firsthand the life-changing impact that strong mentors and positive opportunities can have on a young person’s life. Today, I have the privilege of providing that same experience to the next generation. Seeing our athletes grow into confident young women, hearing compliments about their character and behavior, and watching them become leaders in their communities means more to me than any trophy or championship title ever could.
What sets me apart is that I lead from both personal and professional experience. I have been a participant, competitor, camp director, mentor, and now coach. At the same time, I have dedicated my professional career to helping individuals and families overcome barriers and achieve independence. Because I have personally experienced many of the challenges that the people I serve face, I bring a level of understanding, compassion, and authenticity to my work that cannot be taught in a classroom.
I am deeply committed to preserving and protecting the legacy of Coach Joy Holman. Being entrusted with a program that has impacted countless lives is a responsibility I do not take lightly. Every decision I make is guided by the values she instilled in me and the belief that Double Dutch is not just about jumping ropes—it’s about teaching the ropes of life.
While I am proud of the championships, national titles, and accomplishments our teams have earned, I am most proud of the lives we have touched, the futures we have helped shape, and the positive impact we continue to make in our community every day.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that many people are surprised to learn about me is that I am actually extremely shy and don’t naturally consider myself a “people person.” Because of the roles I hold, whether leading a nonprofit, coaching athletes, speaking at events, or working in Human Services, most people assume I am outgoing and comfortable in every social setting.
The truth is, stepping into unfamiliar environments or being the center of attention can be one of the most terrifying things for me. While I have learned how to adapt, connect with others, and function effectively in almost any setting, it never comes as naturally as people think. I often have to push myself beyond my comfort zone.
What I’ve learned, however, is that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s showing up despite it. Some of my greatest accomplishments and most meaningful relationships have come from moments when I chose to step forward even when I felt uncomfortable. In many ways, my shyness has made me a better leader because it has taught me how to listen, observe, empathize, and genuinely connect with people rather than simply talking to them.
So, while many people see confidence when they look at me, what they may not realize is that behind that confidence is someone who has spent a lifetime learning how to overcome fear and embrace opportunities for growth.
Pricing:
- This program is free to the participants
- We rely solely on donations and sponsorships
Contact Info:
- Instagram: doubledutchforceslegacy
- Facebook: Double Dutch Forces “The Legacy Continues” https://www.facebook.com/share/18seAXbkW4/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@doubledutchforceslegacy
